grad_com
	grad_com is an electronic newsletter from the BSU School of Graduate Studies. If you have ideas, send them to Grad@bemidjistate.edu, with Attn: grad_com in the subject line.
	Vol. 2, No. 8	April 2006
The Process Registration: Grad classes Starting the count of seven years to complete a degree Form 1: Applying for admission to graduate studies Completing 13-16 graduate credits after admission Form 2: Applying for candidacy in a graduate degree program Taking the written exam at the end of course work Form 3: Proposing a research paper or thesis Doing the work and writing the results Form 4: Applying for graduation Submitting the research paper or thesis for review Form 5: Scheduling the oral examination Defending your graduate work Diploma	This month . . . · URGENT: Tuition and Fee Due Dates · The Process: Graduation and Commencement · Q&A: How are we doing?
	URGENT: Tuition and Fee Due Dates
	Effective fall semester 2006, tuition and fees must be paid in full no later than five business days after each term’s first day of class session. If not, the student’s classes will be dropped!	Exceptions. A student will not be dropped for non-payment if any one of the following criteria is met: The student has a. applied for financial aid and the university has received the FAFSA results from the U.S. Department of Education. b. made a minimum down-payment to tuition and fees of 15% or $300, whichever is less, and has an active payment plan contract. c. a scholarship or third-party award that meets the minimum down-payment rule. d. enrolled in the PSEO program. e. tuition and fees deferred for special hardship cases such as sudden illness, a death in the family, or natural disaster.
	For more information, go to www.bemidjistate.edu/businessofffice/ or contact Jerry Winans at jwinans@bemidjistate.edu or Laureen Lawyer at 218-755-2046 or llawyer@bemidjistate.edu.
	The Process: Graduation and Commencement
	A Tale of Two Events. You may graduate in December, May, or August. Commencement, however, is held only once each year, in May. If you graduated in the fall, or plan to graduate this spring or in the summer, you may participate in commencement with the spring semester graduates. A unique feature of graduation from Bemidji State University is the Commencement Walk – not on an athletic field, but along the streets lined with well wishers.	Graduation. Start the process with Form 4 and a non-refundable $10.00 graduation fee. Diplomas typically are mailed about 60 days after the graduation date. Commencement. If you participate, the traditional cap and gown is required; as a graduate student, you are also responsible for purchasing a Bemidji State University hood. For more information about graduation requirements: http://www.bemidjistate.edu/graduatestudies/. Click on the Requirements for Graduation link at the left. Commencement Preparation April – Verify degree information in commencement booklet at Records Office commencement web_site April-May – Purchase cap, gown, and hood; send invitations May 3 Rehearsal – 3:30 Hagg-Sauer 100 May 12 Events 9:30-11:30 Hobson Memorial Union Pre-commencement celebration, reception, and brunch for all graduates, hosted by all colleges and departments 1:00 Bangsberg Recital Hall and Theater Assembly for the Commencement Walk along Birchmont Drive and Birch Lane to the John Glas Fieldhouse 2:00 John Glas Fieldhouse, Physical Education Complex Commencement
Q&A: How are we doing?
Q: What are your thoughts about this newsletter? A: Please provide feedback. Communicate your responses to five “questions” and help the School of Graduate Studies better serve the graduate community: 1. I read the Graduate Studies newsletter. 2. The newsletter has helped me to better understand the Graduate Studies process. 3. The newsletter has helped me feel part of the Graduate Studies community. 4. Issues or information I would like addressed in the newsletter. 5. The School of Graduate Studies should continue publishing a newsletter. Click here_for_the_survey.
	For more details: http://www.bemidjistate.edu/records/commencement/commencement.htm.
For the newsletter survey, go to http://www.bemidjistate.edu/graduatestudies/ and click on the grad_com survey link. Let us know what you think: School of Graduate Studies, Decker Hall 110, 218-755-2027 (toll-free: 1-888-386-8464), Grad@bemidjistate.edu